Diversity Of Microalgae Research Articles

DEVELOPMENT OF MICROALGA DIVERSITY MODULE AS A BIOLOGICAL LEARNING MEDIA TO IMPROVE LEARNING OUTCOMES OF X GRADE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN PROTISTA MATERIAL

Microalgae is a biological material that has an abstract nature, meaning that it cannot be directly observed by the five senses and must use certain tools to see it. The objectives of this study were: 1. Producing biology learning media in the form of modules, 2. Knowing the practicality of the module based on the activities and responses of students, 3. Knowing the effectiveness of using modules based on the achievement of indicators and 4. Knowing the feasibility of the module of microalgae diversity as a learning medium biology to improve the learning outcomes of class X high school students on protist material. This research method uses development research or R D with the development model of Borg and Gall, 1983. The results of the study based on the N-gain value showed that the experimental class got a higher score than the control class and had moderate effectiveness. Based on the validity test conducted by 3 validators, the results stated very valid so that it was suitable for use as a learning medium.Key word: Module, Microalgae, Learning Media

The effects of illumination and trophic strategy on gene expression in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Microalgae are of substantial biotechnological interest due their polyphyletic nature which grants them access to a wide array of high-value metabolites. The inherent genetic diversity of microalgae combined with their metabolic plasticity when grown using different trophic and illumination strategies necessitate the establishment of a reference knowledge base. In the present study we present a detailed characterisation of the combined effects of wavelength selection and trophic strategy on the growth kinetics and gene expression profile of the model microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii grown under moderate to high light intensity (400 μmolph m−2·s−1). The aim is twofold: (a) to establish a list of reliable housekeeping genes valid for quantitative comparisons across several combinations of different wavelengths and trophic strategies and (b) to enable the investigation of the response of central carbon metabolic pathways under these process conditions. White, blue and red light emitting diodes (LEDs) were used to grow pH controlled photo- and mixo-trophic cultures over a period of 136 h in batch mode. A panel of 10 candidate genes, along with biomass growth rate and pigment content were dynamically monitored across all conditions. Statistical analysis identified genes (acetyl-CoA carboxylase subunit α and photosystem I reaction centre subunit II) with less variability observed in their expression levels across the entirety of conditions evaluated compared to housekeeping genes often referred to in literature (receptor of activated protein kinase C and ribosomal protein (large subunit) 19). Further analysis of gene expression profiles revealed substantial differences in response to changes in both wavelength selection (upregulation of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit under red phototrophic growth) and trophic strategy (upregulation of malate synthase from phototrophic to mixotrophic conditions). The systematic approach used to establish reliable reference genes presented herein enables robust comparisons of cellular responses across different conditions to better understand algal metabolism and improve process performance.

Photosynthetic Sponge-associated Eukaryotes in the Aegean Sea: A Culture-dependent Approach.

Symbioses between sponges and photosynthetic organisms are very diverse regarding the taxonomy and biogeography of both hosts and symbionts; to date, most research has focused on the exploration of bacterial diversity. The present study aims to characterize the culturable diversity of photosynthetic eukaryotes associated with sponges in the Aegean Sea, on which no information exists. Five microalgae strains were isolated from marine sponges; the strains were characterized by morphological features, and the 18S rRNA, 18S-28S Internal Transcribed Spacer, and ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase large chain (rbcL) sequences. Our polyphasic approach showed that the strains belonged to the green-alga Acrochaete leptochaete, the diatom Nanofrustulum cf. shiloi, the rhodophyte Acrochaetium spongicola, and the chlorachniophyte Lotharella oceanica. A.leptochaete is reported for the first time in sponges, even though green algae are known to be associated with sponges. Nanofrustulum shiloi was found in association with the sponges Agelas oroides and Chondrilla nucula, whereas information existed only for its association with the species Aplysina aerophoba. Acrochaetium spongicola was found for the first time in association with sponges in the eastern Mediterranean. Moreover, we report herein for the first time a sponge-chlorarachniophycean association. Our research revealed new diversity of microalgae associated with sponges and added new records of sponge species, previously unknown for their association with microalgae.

DIVERSIDAD FITOPLANCTÓNICA DE EMBALSES CONTINENTALES DEL VALLE DEL YAQUI

Las microalgas ofrecen un área de creciente explotación por las múltiples aplicaciones en la industria de cosméticos, alimentos, agronomía, farmacéutica, tecnologías verdes, entre otras. En Sonora, en el ambiente dulceacuícola, los trabajos relacionados a la diversidad de microalgas son escasos. El objetivo del presente trabajo es, catalogar las principales microalgas dulceacuícolas susceptibles de cultivo del Valle del Yaqui. Para la obtención de las muestras, se realizaron colectas trimestrales en siete puntos aledaños a la presa Álvaro Obregón (El Oviáchic) el río Yaqui y canales ramales. Las muestras fueron aisladas, escaladas a 250 ml, e identificadas por consulta bibliográfica; siendo los géneros Scenedesmus, Tetradesmus, Clorococcum, Cosmarium, Pediastrum y Fragilaria los más dominantes. Solamente con Scenedesmus, se lograron aislamientos y producción masiva en laboratorio. Esto marca la pauta para continuar con las investigaciones en los procesos de aislamiento de microalgas dulceacuícolas para la región del Valle del Yaqui.

Innovative hybrid system for wastewater treatment: High-rate algal ponds for effluent treatment and biofilm reactor for biomass production and harvesting

The use of algal biomass still faces challenges associated with the harvesting stages. To address this issue, we propose an innovative hybrid system, in which a biofilm reactor (BR) operates as an algal biomass production and harvesting unit connected to a high-rate algal pond (HRAP), a wastewater treatment unit. BR did not interfered with the biomass chemical composition (protein = 32%, carbohydrates = 11% and total lipids = 18%), with the wastewater treatment (removals efficiency: chemical oxygen demand = 59%, ammonia nitrogen = 78%, total phosphorus = 16% and Escherichia coli = 1 log unit), and did not alter the sedimentation characteristics of the biomass (sludge volume index = 29 mg/L and humidity content = 92%) in the secondary settling tank of the hybrid system. On the other hand, the results showed that this technology achieved a biomass production about 2.6x greater than the conventional system without a BR, and the efficiency of harvesting of the hybrid system was 61%, against 22% obtained with the conventional system. In addition, the BR promoted an increase in the density (~1011 org/m2) and diversity of microalgae in the hybrid system. Chlorella vulgaris was the most abundant species (>60%) from the 4th week of operation until the end of the experiment. Hence, results confirm that the integration of BR into a wastewater treatment plant optimised the production and harvesting of biomass of the hybrid system, making it a promising technology. The importance of economic and environmental analysis studies of BR is highlighted in order to enable its implementation on a large scale.

Microalgae of Pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merr] Phytotelmata from Calauan, Laguna (Philippines)

Phytotelmata are a unique habitat for the existence of new and rare species of microalgae. In the Philippines, no comprehensive study was documented regarding the diversity of microalgae on bromeliad phytotelmata. This study provides the first floristic survey that presents the taxonomy and species composition of phytotelm microalgae associated with bromeliad tanks of pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merr] from Calauan, Laguna. A total of 15 algal taxa were taxonomically identified from the collected samples, of which six species (five genera) are classified as members of Cyanophyceae, four species (three genera) belong to Zygnematophyceae, three species (three genera) to Chlorophyceae, and one species (one genus) each for Euglenophyceae and Klebsormidiophyceae. The study reports an additional of nine species (Phacus monilatus, Monoraphidium lunare, Coelastrum proboscideum, Klebsormidium flaccidum, Cosmarium granatum, Cosmarium contractum var. rotundatum, Phormidium breve, Arthrospira jenneri, and Chroococcus subnudus) as new records in the global inventory list of phytotelm microalgae and 13 new taxa as additional records of microalgae in phytotelm microhabitat of Asia. Also, the occurrence of a rare photosynthetic euglenoid [Phacus monilatus (Stokes) Lemmerman] and a green microalga, [Monoraphidium lunare Nygaard, J. Komárek, J. Kristiansen, & O.M. Skulberg] are described for the first time in the Philippines. Diagnostic descriptions and keys are presented to distinguish the different species of phytotelm algae. The results of this study provide important knowledge regarding the species composition of microalgae in bromeliad phytotelmata found in the Philippines.

Microalgal Metallothioneins and Phytochelatins and Their Potential Use in Bioremediation.

The persistence of heavy metals (HMs) in the environment causes adverse effects to all living organisms; HMs accumulate along the food chain affecting different levels of biological organizations, from cells to tissues. HMs enter cells through transporter proteins and can bind to enzymes and nucleic acids interfering with their functioning. Strategies used by microalgae to minimize HM toxicity include the biosynthesis of metal-binding peptides that chelate metal cations inhibiting their activity. Metal-binding peptides include genetically encoded metallothioneins (MTs) and enzymatically produced phytochelatins (PCs). A number of techniques, including genetic engineering, focus on increasing the biosynthesis of MTs and PCs in microalgae. The present review reports the current knowledge on microalgal MTs and PCs and describes the state of art of their use for HM bioremediation and other putative biotechnological applications, also emphasizing on techniques aimed at increasing the cellular concentrations of MTs and PCs. In spite of the broad metabolic and chemical diversity of microalgae that are currently receiving increasing attention by biotechnological research, knowledge on MTs and PCs from these organisms is still limited to date.

Isolation and molecular characterisation of Dunaliella tertiolecta with truncated light-harvesting antenna for enhanced photosynthetic efficiency

Here we report the development of a high-throughput selection protocol using random mutagenesis and live single-cell sorting to isolate cell lines from the algae Dunaliella tertiolecta with reduced chlorophyll content, with the aim to optimise the antenna size for increased photosynthetic efficiency. Two promising cell lines (lca1 and lca2) have been isolated that display a truncated light-harvesting antenna, and hence improved photosynthetic energy conversion efficiency by increasing the light intensity at which photosynthesis becomes saturated (Is). lca1 and lca2 differ significantly: the lca2 phenotype retains an ability to alter its antenna size in response to varying light intensity, whereas lca1 appears to have lost this ability and is ‘locked’ to a truncated antenna and high-light phenotype. Despite these clear differences, transcriptomic analysis shows that the expression profiles for differentially expressed nuclear-encoded photosynthetic genes is similar in both lca1 and lca2, possibly suggesting underlying mutations in the regulation of photosynthesis are causing the observed changes in phenotype rather than mutations impacting specific components of the photosynthetic apparatus. The combination of approaches presented here offer the capacity to substantially improve photosynthetic efficiency from any microalgal species irrespective of the extent to which it has been characterised genetically or the availability of molecular tools for rational engineering. It thus offers the potential to begin to exploit the huge natural diversity of microalgae for enhanced biomass production.

Seasonal relative abundance and diversity of microalgae in freshwater eutrophic systems of Namibia

Seasonal relative abundance and diversity of microalgae in freshwater eutrophic systems of Namibia

Comparative characteristics of species diversity of the algal flora of lakes in the Almaty region

The species diversity of the algoflora of five lakes, with different types of landscapes, located in the territory of the Almaty region was studied. The study covered five freshwater bodies includin: Balkhash, Alakol, Kolsay, Issyk and Big Almaty lake. Phytoplankton was studied for the first time in two lakes (Issyk and Big Almaty lake). The aim was to study the biodiversity of algoflora in lakes that are subject to various degrees of anthropogenic impact during recreational use. These water bodies are of great economic importance populations of the region, so the biological assessment of the water of these lakes is the most relevant. Analysis of the floral composition of the algoflora of lakes revealed a high species diversity of microalgae in all the studied objects. The highest quantitative and qualitative diversity in the lakes is represented by diatoms and green algae. The assessment of the ecological state of the water using microalgae as an indicator revealed that lake Balkhash is relatively dirty of all the studied lakes. Big Almaty lake, a high-altitude reservoir located in the reserve zone of the Trans-ili Alatau, was identified as the cleanest by saprobity. The scientific significance is to study the species diversity of microalgae and cyanobacteria of these objects. The practical significance is that the results obtained are necessary for forecasting and making recommendations for the conservation and normal functioning of natural complexes. Based on the results of the work of allocating pure cultures from samples taken from the lakes of the Almaty region received 5 algal pure cultures: Nephrochlamys sp., Ankistrodesmus falcatus, Monoraphidium griffthii, Parachlorella sp. и Monoraphidium sp. Key words: bioindication, algal flora, lakes Almaty region, microalgae, saprobity, algal pure cultures.

Temporal and Spatial Microalgae Diversity in Lake BishoftuGuda/ Babugaya, Ethiopia

Temporal and Spatial Microalgae Diversity in Lake BishoftuGuda/ Babugaya, Ethiopia

Mexican Microalgae Biodiversity and State-Of-The-Art Extraction Strategies to Meet Sustainable Circular Economy Challenges: High-Value Compounds and Their Applied Perspectives.

In recent years, the demand for naturally derived products has hiked with enormous pressure to propose or develop state-of-the-art strategies to meet sustainable circular economy challenges. Microalgae possess the flexibility to produce a variety of high-value products of industrial interests. From pigments such as phycobilins or lutein to phycotoxins and several polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), microalgae have the potential to become the primary producers for the pharmaceutical, food, and agronomical industries. Also, microalgae require minimal resources to grow due to their autotrophic nature or by consuming waste matter, while allowing for the extraction of several valuable side products such as hydrogen gas and biodiesel in a single process, following a biorefinery agenda. From a Mexican microalgae biodiversity perspective, more than 70 different local species have been characterized and isolated, whereas, only a minimal amount has been explored to produce commercially valuable products, thus ignoring their potential as a locally available resource. In this paper, we discuss the microalgae diversity present in Mexico with their current applications and potential, while expanding on their future applications in bioengineering along with other industrial sectors. In conclusion, the use of available microalgae to produce biochemically revenuable products currently represents an untapped potential that could lead to the solution of several problems through green technologies. As such, if the social, industrial and research communities collaborate to strive towards a greener economy by preserving the existing biodiversity and optimizing the use of the currently available resources, the enrichment of our society and the solution to several environmental problems could be attained.

Occurrence and diversity of microalgae in phytoplankton collected from freshwater community ponds of Hooghly District, West Bengal, India

A study on diversity, seasonal occurrence, distribution percentage of microalgal taxa and physico-chemical parameters of five community ponds, located in Chinsurah town, Hooghly district of West Bengal, has been carried out. Correlation between occurrence of microalgal genera and some parameters of environment, physico-chemical nature of natural water bodies were explored by Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Diversity indices have been calculated using PAST software program. A total of 23 microalgal taxa belonging to four algal classes were recorded and the study indicated that the microalgal diversity vary with variation in physico-chemical parameters of water and light intensity. Out of these genera, occurrence of Chodatella sp. in late summer and Tetrallantos sp. and Synechocystis sp. in winter season were specific. In CCA, multiple variables (dissolved oxygen, water temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, light intensity and inorganic phosphorous) played a significant role in occurrence of microalgal taxa. Observation concluded that the Chlorophycean members were dominant throughout the study period and the Shannon–Wiener diversity index was highest for a site with large number of Chlorophycean member. This study will help in future to assess water quality.

RNA isolation from taxonomically diverse photosynthetic protists

AbstractHigh quality RNA is a crucial requirement in a variety of analyses including next generation sequencing, microarray, and gene expression studies. A number of protocols for the extraction of ribonucleic acids from algae are currently in use, but different reagents interfere with buffer capacities and therefore lower the success of the isolations. The diversity of microalgae is reflected in a large variety of biomolecules and so far no standard protocol for the extraction of RNA from these highly divergent groups has been assessed. With this study, 11 conventional protocols are compared and an alternative standardized protocol for the isolation of high quality total RNA is proposed. Furthermore, the extraction method is applied on four different microalgae species of the Chlorophyta, Charophyta, Rhodophyta, and a dinoflagellate. We present an optimized RNA extraction method, yielding total RNA of high purity and integrity from all the investigated protists. The protocol provided in this study is cost‐effective and can assist in future functional genomics, covering an essential step when working with RNA from non‐model microorganisms.

Diversidad de Microalgas en tres Sectores del Rio Ocoña (Provincia De Camaná y Condesuyos, Región Arequipa) Cercanos a Asentamientos Mineros, durante las épocas de Estiaje y Creciente del 2017

La región Arequipa es una zona económicamente activa, ocupando el segundo lugar a nivel nacional debido principalmente a su minería e industria. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivos específicos: Determinar los parámetros físico-químicos en las zonas seleccionadas, identificar taxonómicamente las microalgas y la abundancia relativa por división. Se realizaron 2 salidas de campo, en julio y noviembre (2017) - Creciente y Estiaje respectivamente. La medición de parámetros fisicoquímicos en campo se realizó siguiendo el manual de la UNMSM. Los análisis fisicoquímicos (laboratorio) fueron realizados por la empresa Laboratorios Analíticos del Sur (LAS). Para diseñar el muestreo en campo, se adaptó la metodología de la Confederación Hidrográfica del Ebro. El muestreo cualitativo de perifiton, fitoplancton y análisis de las muestras en laboratorio se hizo de acuerdo al manual de UNMSM. Los parámetros fisicoquímicos mostraron variación con respecto a la época de muestreo (Estiaje y Creciente). El pH, concentración de boro y cobre excedieron en algunas estaciones los ECA (2017). Con respecto a la diversidad de microalgas, estuvo representada en 4 divisiones: Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta y Charophyta, logrando un total de 44 géneros y 64 especies identificadas.

Spatial diet overlap and food resource in two congeneric mullet species revealed by stable isotopes and stomach content analyses

Food partitioning among coexisting species in different habitats remains an important research topic in trophic ecology. In this work, we combined carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios and stomach content analyses to investigate differences in diet and niche overlap of two congeneric juvenile mullet species (Mugil curema and Mugil liza) coexisting in a marine surf-zone and an estuarine zone in southern Brazil (29oS). These habitats have contrasting levels of food availability, especially in terms of prey diversity, with higher microalgae diversity in the estuary than in the marine surf-zone. In these contrasting conditions, we predicted that both mullet species will have (a) higher niche overlap and smaller niche breadth at the marine surf-zone due to the common exploration of highly abundant surf-zone diatoms and (b) lower niche overlap and higher niche breadth inside the estuary due to selective feeding on more diverse food resources. Isotope niche areas (measured as standard ellipse areas) were higher in the estuary (6.10 and 6.18) than in the marine surf-zone (3.68 and 3.37) for both M. curema and M. liza, respectively. We observed an overlap of 52% in isotopic niches of both species in the marine surf-zone and none in the estuary. We also found contrasting patterns in the diet composition between species according to the habitat. At the marine surfzone, diatoms of the classes Bacillariophyceae and Coscinodiscophyceae dominated (> 99%) the food content of both mullet species. In contrast, green algae, cyanobacteria, dinoflagellates and flagellates comprised the diet of both species in the estuary. These results could be explained by spatial differences in food availability (especially regarding diversity of microalgae) between both habitats. At the marine site, both species explored the most abundant microalgae available (mostly the surf-zone diatom Asterionellopsis cf. guyunusae and fragments of Coscinodiscus), whereas in the estuary both species shifted their diets to explore the greater diversity of microalgae resources. Overall, our findings revealed that niche partitioning theory could not fully predict changes in breadth and overlap of food niches of estuarine dependent fish species with complex life cycles encompassing marine to estuarine systems with contrasting food availabilities.

MICROALGAE IN THE DIET OF EUCYPRIS MAREOTICA (CRUSTACEA, OSTRACODA) IN THE HYPERSALINE LAKE CHERSONESSKOYE (CRIMEA)

In the Crimea, there are many hypersaline lakes and lagoons, where Eucypris mareotica (Ostracoda), high halotolerant species, inhabit. Despite the wide distribution of the species and the abundance of its populations, little is known about the biology of E. mareotica, including its nutrition. Diversity of microalgae in gut of E. mareotica in Lake Chersonesskoye was studied. The crustaceans ate both phytoplankton and alga, which growth on cladophora filaments, as well as various small animals, but microalgae played a main role in their nutrition. The proportion of individuals, which had algae in intestines, ranged in a sample from 0 to 93%. In 335 analyzed individuals, 22 species of microalgae were found, which belong to 4 types, 4 classes and 11 orders. Of these, 4 species belong to the type Cyanobacteria, 3 – to Myzozoa, 4 – to Haptophyta, 11 – to Ochrophyta. The most common species was Peridinium cinctum. Given the availability of a wide variety of consumed microalgae, ostracod gut content analysis can be used to assess species diversity of microalgae in the lakes.

Seasonal variation of biogas upgrading coupled with digestate treatment in an outdoors pilot scale algal-bacterial photobioreactor

The yearly variations of the quality of the upgraded biogas and the efficiency of digestate treatment were evaluated in an outdoors pilot scale high rate algal pond (HRAP) interconnected to an external absorption column (AC) via a conical settler. CO2 concentrations in the upgraded biogas ranged from 0.7% in August to 11.9% in December, while a complete H2S removal was achieved regardless of the operational month. CH4 concentrations ranged from 85.2% in December to 97.9% in June, with a limited O2 and N2 stripping in the upgraded biogas mediated by the low recycling liquid/biogas ratio in the AC. Biomass productivity ranged from 0.0 g m−2 d−1 in winter to 22.5 g m−2 d−1 in summer. Finally, microalgae diversity was severely reduced throughout the year likely due to the increasing salinity in the cultivation broth of the HRAP induced by process operation in the absence of effluent.

Keragaman Mikroalga di Lahan Bekas Tambang Batubara, Cempaka

Have been by research the diversity of microalgae, at quarry Banjarbaru, with Purposive Random Sampling method in three stations, that there quarry 1, quarry 2 and quarry 3. The result showed that 32 genera fitoplankton which category into 5 classes include: Chlorophyceae, Chrysophyceae, Rhocophyceae, Xanthophyceae, Bacillariophyceae. The highest index of diversity was quarry 2 and lowest index diversity was quarry 3. Correlations analysis test indicate that pH were signivicant to the diversity of fitoplankton.

Rapid isolation of culturable microalgae from a tropical shallow lake system

Microalgae diversity is constantly being studied and explored for biotechnological uses. The shallow lake system of Lencois Maranhenses (SLLM) is a unique coastal ecosystem in northeast Brazil found interspersed in a field of sand dunes. Organisms in these tropical lakes are constantly exposed to high temperatures and solar irradiance. Yet, little is known about the diversity of culturable microalgae in this aquatic ecosystem. This study reports the use of flow cytometry with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to isolate single microalgae cells/coenobia from five lakes in SLLM, accessing the efficiency of this isolation technique with two types of culture media. To retrieve the highest diversity of culturable microalgae, planktonic, benthic, and epiphytic samples were collected and processed by FACS. The diversity of microalgae in natural lake communities was described by morphology-based taxonomy. Isolates of the most abundant phylum established in cultures (Chlorophyta) were characterized by gene sequencing (18S rDNA). A total of 3072 microalgal cells/coenobia were sorted into 96-well plates. From these, 945 wells presented algal growth (31% success rate). Based on morphological diversity and adaptability to culture conditions, a set of 171 strains were selected to be incorporated in a culture collection. Microalgae present in the lakes belonged to six phyla, with four of them represented in the cultured strains. Our sampling strategy coupled with FACS isolation retrieved a fairly large number and diversity of microalgal strains with minimum isolation effort from a unique coastal environment. The monoclonal cultures established in this study offer new opportunities for basic and applied research on microalgae biotechnology.